Detection of foreign matter in returnable PET bottles

With a new returnable PET line only for Steinsieker Mineralwasser and Steinsieker Stille Quelle that handles returnable 1-l PET bottles, Brohler Mineral- und Heilbrunnen expanded the production range of Steinsieker Quelle, Steinsiek, Germany. An important component of this line rated at 30,000 bph, most parts of which have been supplied by Krones, is the prototype of the foreign matter detection system Aircontronic Compact 772. Krones developed this system with an entirely new structure, as an inline machine.
This is the reason for its compact footprint: the machine needs only 1.2 square metres at the conveyor upstream the bottle washer. Furthermore, the inline principle allows machine operation without having to change over the handling parts – something which makes the inspector very efficient when a large variety of bottles is handled. The Aircontronic Compact 772 detects dangerous and taste-tainting contaminations on the returnable PET bottles. Different detection thresholds for defined substances can be determined. An important feature, particularly with regard to the detection accuracy of flavours for mineral water bottling.